Priming device for pumps



Aug. 6, 1957 B. D. BRTQN PRIMING DEVICE FOR PUMPS Filed June 4, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W ffy@ www ZM Aug# 6, 1957 B. D. BARTON 2,801,592

PRIMING DEVICE FOR PUMPS Filed June 4, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f? 7,6 1 g 67 f 7/ 'w t l 4/ l' I i 1 l l 7 l 70 l M l ffff i W j f j M IHU l l l 40 l .fz Q) 50 K if I iig-4; Y Y

kte une 3-3 of Fig. 2.

PRIMING DEVICE Fon PUMPS Benjamin D. Barton, Battle Creek, Mich., assignor to American Fire Apparatus Company, Battle Creek, Mich.

Application .lune 4, 1954, Serial No. 434,579

9 Claims. (Cl. 10S- 113) pumps.

'Y hired States Patent O if v2,801,592 Patented Aug. 6, 1957 ICC . I 2 Y by the head 17, the parts being detachably secured to.- gether by lag screws nidicated at 18. l A stand pipe or intake tube 19 is formed integrally with the base member 12 and projects centrally within the lloat chamber. This stand pipe delines a passage opening to the valve chamber 14 and into the float chamber. fAt its lower end this passage is provided with a valve seat 21 for the intake valve 22 whichsis recprocatingly mounted in the valve chamber 14 and provided with radial guides '23 which maintain the valve in upright position and centered to coact with the valve seat 2,1.` At its upper end the pipe 20 is provided with a valve seat 24 for the return check valve 25 which is preferably a ball valve.

Thehead member is provided with an air suction or vacuum passage 26 Vhaving a downwardly facing Valve seat261 at its entrance` end vertically aligned with the stand pipe 19. This `vacuum passage 26 has a branch 27 connected to the source of suction or vacuum by the which permits the apparatus to be connected to a hydrant or source of water supplyunder pressure.

Third, to provide `a `priming device having these ad-` vantages which is very compact and relativelysimple in structure and not likely to become clogged or inoperative under varying operating conditions.

Objects relating to details and economies `of the invention will appear from the description to follow. .The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention` is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: t l

Fig. l is a fragmentary elevational viewof a primer embodying my invention shown in operative relation to a centrifugal pump and to `arrengine,` a hydrant and con'- nection being illustrated in dotted'lines. l i

Fig. 2 is an`enlar`ged vertical section of a preferred `embodiment of my invention, the valves and other parts `being illustrated `by full lines andthe control valve being illustrated in position to connect the device to a suction or vacuum source.

Fig. `3 is a horizontal section on a line corresponding Fig. 4 is float.' t Y Fig. 5 is a side elevational view ofthe auxiliary float. Fig. 6 is a view mainly in vertical section of a modified form or embodiment of my invention.

In the accompanying drawing I.illu`stra`te"\my invenan enlarged side elevational view f of the main tonvas `a priming device for a centrifugal pump forming a partof a portablefire apparatus commonlyl powered by an internal combustion engine. The presentpriming device, however, permits connection of Vthefapparatusfto `-a `lire hydrant or other source of water under pressure and in Fig. l, 1 represents water to be pumped and 2 a lire hydrant. 3 represents an internal combustion engine and 4 its intake manifold.

The centrifugal pump `5 is shown `conventionally and is provided with an intake 6 and a discharge 7.- The `suction pipe 8 of the pump is adapted to be inserted in the water supply as conventionally illustrated in iFig. 1. When inserted in a water supply the intake is desirably provided `with a screen 9. The intake 8 may, however, be attached to a hydrant 2 conventionally illustratedf in Fig. l, the couplings not being illustrated. The intake 10 of the priming device designated generally by the numerall 11 is connected to the intake 6 of thepump.`

i In the preferred embodiment illustrated the base member 12 ofthe iloat chamber 13 is provided with a cylindrical intake valve chamber `14 connected to the intake 10 by the coupling 15. The side wall portion `16 ofthe Vfloat chamber is cylindrical and is closed at its'upper end conduit I28. This branch passage 27 is provided with a two-way `control valve29 adapted in one position to connect the suction passage to the source of vacuum as is illustrated in Fig. 2 or to the atmosphere through the port 30. The head member is provided with a bypass 3 1 `opening to thepassage 26 and to the top of the iloat chamber `and provided with a return check valve 32. `ltithnhis arrangement of passages when the control valve islladjusted to connect the suction passage to the port 30, air enters the lloat chamber through the bypass l31thus permitting the lloat chamber to drain and the .restoring of the parts to initialposition. n The float chamber is provided with a drain valve comprising the valve body 33 threaded] into an opening 34 provided therefor in the base 12'and having a cage orgpassageSS for `the suction actuated valve 36 which `coacts with the seat 37 when sulilcient vacuum is created `in thelloat chamber to lift and hold the valve 36 to its seat.

VThe stand pipe 19 constitutes a guide for the main iloat `38` having a central tube 39 slidably embracing the stand pipe. `This float seats on the shoulder 40 provided therefor at the base of the stand pipe. A tubular foraminated valve cage 41 is carried by the `iloat 38 and retains the valve 25. t A baille 42.is mounted on the upper end of this Valve cage. The auxiliary iloat 43 is adapted to seat on the baille 42 to be actuated with or independently of the main iloat.

The main lloat is provided with a guide stem 44 for Athe auxiliary tloat. A valve 45 is carried by the auxiliary iloat and adapted'to coact `with the valve seat 261 of the suction passage; The valve 45 isprovided with a guide stem 46 coacting with the guide 47 in the head member.

`valveand create avacuum or suction in the connection 10 to the pump. An accumulation of water within the lloat `chamber actuates the floats and closes the iloat chamber vacuum connection valve 45. The control valve 29.is then closed to cut oil the suction or vacuum and connect the suction passage with the atmosphere through the port 30. The atmospheric pressure opens the Valve 32 in the bypass, thus breaking the vacuum within the float chamber `and allowing the drain valve 36 to open. Should there be a surge of water in the conduit 10 the valve 22 will close, but usually when the pump 5 is in operation the "valve 22 remains open. It is closed however by the surge or velocity of water such as results from a connection to a hydrant.

The valve 2.2 is desirably provided with a restricted passage 48, the primary purpose of which is to prevent the valve 22 and the valve 25 closing simultaneously. While that is unlikely to occur, the restricted passage serves as a safety factor. As stated when the intake 8 is connected to a hydrant or other source of Water under pressure, the valve 22 is closed.

The main and auxiliary oats commonly move to valve closing position as a unit but the auxiliary float may move independently of the main float should the main float fail to operate for any reason. Also this arrangement provides for a` relatively loose mounting of the oats and at the same time centering and eiective seating of the valve 45.

In the modiiied form or embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 6, theloat chamberfmember 49 is of generally cup shape and is provided with a drain opening 50 in the bottom thereof, the valve cage 51 being formed integrally with the body member 49. The valve 52 functions as has been described for the drain valve 36. In this embodiment a separate intake member 53 is provided and connected to the'intake port 54 adjacent to the top of the float body member by the coupling 41. The member 53 is provided with a valve chamber 5S to which the intake pipe is connected. i

Thervalve 56 is the same in structure as the valve 22 described and adapted to seat against the valve seat 57 Vat the lower end of the passage 58 which is provided with the return check valve 59 at its upper end. In this embodiment the control valve 60 is provided with a separate casing 61 connected to the passage 27 by the coupling 62. 63 represents the connection to the source of vacuum. In this embodiment the main oat 64 is guided by the guide rod 65 as is also the auxiliary iioat 66 which normally seats upon the main float.

The valve 67 is carried by the auxiliary float and 4coacts with the valve seat 68. The valve 67 is provided with a guide stem 69. A bale or guard 70 is disposed in spaced relation to the inlet port 53 so as to prevent the discharge from this port striking the auxiliary float and thus; displacing it or interferingl with itsy proper valve seating ation. This modified structure has abypass passage 71 provided with ya check valve 72 for breaking the vacuum in the float chamber when the control valve 61 is adjusted to connect the suction passage to the atmosphere and thus allowing theoat chamber to drain.

IV have illustrated and described my invention in two highly practical' embodiments thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby` Letters Patent is:-

1. In a priming device of the class described, thev combination of a body defining a float chamber provided with an inlet adapted for attachment to the inlet of a pump, the inlet having an inlet check valve chamber therein, a stand pipe disposed within said iioat chamber and deiining an inlet passage opening to said oat chamber and to said inlet check valve chamber and having an inlet check valve seat at its lower'end and a return check valve seat at its upper end, body also forming a suction passage opening to. said iioat chamber and provided with a downwardly facing suction check valve seat aligned with said stand pipe, said suction passage having an air port, said body also having a drain opening to the bottom of the oat chamber, a main float slidably guided by said stand pipe and having thereon an upwardly projecting valve cage provided with a discharge opening, and a baile disposed above said discharge opening, said main float having an auxiliary float guide projecting upwardly from said baie, an auxiliary float disposed in said oat chamber andr slidable on said guide and adapted to seat on said baffle on said main oat and movable with or independently of said main float, a suction check Valve mounted on said auxiliary float to coact with said suction passage Valve seat, an inlet check valve disposed in said inlet check valve chamber to coact with said inlet check valve seat, a return check valve disposed in said cage on said main float to coact with said return check Valve seat on said stand pipe, a suction seated valve for said drain opening, a manually actuated control valve for said suction passage adjustable to connect the suction passage with a source of suction or to connect the suction passage to said air port, and a bypass in said body connecting said suction passage to said iioat chamber and provided with a check valve seating outwardly of said iioat chamber under the influence of suction in said bypass connection and opening to admit air to said oat chamber when said manually actuated valve is adjusted to disconnect the suction passage from a source of suction and connect it with said air port.

2. In a priming device of the class described, the combination of a body defining a float chamber provided with an inletadapted for attachmentto the inlet of a pump, the inlet having an inlet check valve chamber therein, a standpipe disposed within said float chamber and defining an inlet pasage opening to said oat chamber and to said inlet check valve chamber and having an inlet check valve seat at its lower end and a return check valve seat at its upper end, said body also forming a suction passage opening to said float chamber and provided with a downwardly facing suction check valve seat aligned with said stand pipe, said suction passage having an air port, said body also having a drain opening to the bottorn of the iioat chamber, a main float slidably guided by said stand pipe, an auxiliary float disposed in said float chamber and movable with or independently of said main oat, a suction check valve mounted on said auxiliary oats to coact with said suction passage valve seat, an inlet check valve disposed in said inlet check valve chamber to coact with said inlet check valve seat, a return check valve disposed to coact with said return check valve seat on said stand pipe, a suction seated valve for said drain opening, a manually actuated control valve for said suction passage adjustable to connect the suction passage with a source of suction or to connect the suction passage to said. air port, and a bypass in said body connecting said suction passage to said oat chamber and provided with a check valve seating outwardly of said oat chamber under the influence of suction in said bypass connection and opening to admit air to said float chamber when said manually actuated valve is adjusted to disconnect the suction pasage from a source of suction and connect it with said air port.

3. In a priming device of the class described, the combination of a body defining a float chamber provided with an inlet adapted for attachment to the inlet ofy a pump, the inlet having an inlet check valve chamber therein, a stand pipe disposed within said float chamber and defining an inlet passage opening to said float chamber and to said inlet check valve chamber and having an inlet check valve seat at its lower end and a return check valverseat at its upper end, said body also forming a suction passage opening to said oat chamber and provided with a downwardly facing suction check valve -seat `aligned with said stand pipe, said suction passage having an air port, said body also having a drain opening to the bottom of the float chamber, a main oat slidably guided by said stand pipe, an auxiliary float disposed in said float chamber and movable with or independently of said main float, a suction check valve mounted on said auxiliary oat to coact with said suction passage valve seat, an inlet check valve disposed in said inlet check valve chamber to coact with said inlet check valve seat and having av restricted passage therein permitting restricted passage of air and water to said oat chamber when the valve is in seated position, a return checlcvalve disposed toA coact with said return check valve seat on said stand pipe, a suction vseated valve for said drain'opening, a manually actuated control valve for ,said suction passage adjustable to connect thesuction passage with a` source of suction or to connect the `suction passage to said air port, and a bypass in said body connecting saidsuction passage to said lloat chamber and provided with a check valve seating outwardly of said lloat chamber under the inuence of suction in said bypass connection and opening to admit air to said float chamber when said manually actuated valve is adjusted to disconnect the suction passage from ay source of suction and connect it with said air port.

4. In a priming device of the class described, the combination of a body forming a float chamber provided with an inlet connection adapted for attachment to the inlet of a pump and having an inlet check valve chamber therein, said body also having a drain opening to the float chamber, a stand pipe disposed within said iloat chamber opening to said float chamber and to said inlet check valve chamber, and having an inlet check valve seat atits lower end and a return check valve seat at its upper end, a suction passage opening to said tloat chamber and provided with a downwardly facing suction check valve seat aligned with said stand pipe, said suction passage having an air port, a main iloat slidably guided by said stand pipe having an auxiliary float guide, an auxiliary oat disposed in said float chamber and slidable on said guide and movable with or independently of said main oat, a suction check valve mounted on said auxiliary oat to coact with said suction passage valve seat, an inlet check valve disposed in said inlet check valve chamber to coact with said inlet check valve seat, and having a restricted bleed passage therein permitting restricted passage of air and water to said float chamber when the valve is in seated position, a suction seated valve for said drain opening, a control valve for said suction passage adjustable to connect the suction passage with a source of suction or to connect the suction passage to said air port, a return check valve for said stand pipe, and a suction check valve bypass connecting said suction passage to said float chamber and provided with a check valve which is urged to its seat by suction in said suction passage and opening to admit air to said float chamber when said control valve is adjusted to disconnect the suction passage from a source of suction and connect it to said air port.

5. In a priming device of the class described, the combination of a body forming a iloat chamber provided with an inlet connection adapted for attachment to the inlet of a pump and having an inlet check valve chamber therein, said body also having a drain opening to the float chamber, a stand pipe disposed within said float chamber opening to said float chamber and to said inlet check valve chamber, and having an inlet check valve seat at its lower end and a return check valve seat at its upper end, a suction passage opening to said float chamber and provided with a downwardly facing suction check valve seat aligned with said stand pipe, said suction passage having an air port, a main iioat slidably guided by said stand pipe having an auxiliary tloat guide, an auxiliary oat disposed in said iioat chamber and slidable on said guide and movable with or independently of said main tloat, a suction check valve mounted on said auxiliary float to coact with said suction passage valve seat, an inlet check valve disposed in said inlet check valve chamber to coact with said inlet check valve seat, a suction seated valve for said drain opening, a control valve for said suction passage adjustable to connect the suction passage with a source of suction or to connect the suction passage to said air port, a return check valve for said stand pipe, and a suction check valve bypass connecting said suction passage to said oat chamber and provided with a check valve which is urged to its seat by suction in said suction passage and opening to admit air to said float chamber when said control valve is adjusted to disconnect the suction passage from a source of suction and connect it to said air port. f i

6. In a priming device of the class described, the com lbination of a body forming a lloat chamber provided with an inlet connection having an inlet check valve and a return check valve and provided with a suction seated drain valve, a suction passage Vopening to said oat chamber and provided with a suction check valve seat, saidsuction `passage having an air port, a slidably supported main tloat having an auxiliary float guide, an auxiliary float disposed in said oat charnber` and slidable on said guide and movable with or independently of said main float, a suction passage check valve mounted on said auxiliary tloat to coact with said suction passage valve seat, said inlet check valve having a restricted passage permitting restricted passage of air and water `to said float chamber when the valve is in seated position, a control valve for said suction passage adjustable to connect the suction passage with a source of suction or to connect the suction passage to said air port, and a suction passage bypass connecting said suction passage to said oat chamber and provided with a check valve which is urged to its seat by suction in said suction passage and opened by air pressure when said control is adjusted to disconnect the suction passage from a source of suction and connect it to said air port.

7. In a priming device of the class described, the combination of a body forming a oat chamber provided with an inlet connection having an inlet. check valve and a return check valve and provided with a suction seated drain valve, a suction passage opening to said float chamber and provided with a suction check valve seat, said suction passage having an air port, a slidably supporting main float having an auxiliary float guide, an auxiliary tloat disposed in said float chamber and slidable on said guide and movable with or independently of said main iloat, a suction passage check valve mounted on said auxiliary float to coact with said suction passage valve seat, a control valve for said suction passage adjustable to connect the suction passage with a source of suction or to connect the suction passage to said air port, and a suction passage bypass connecting said suction passage to said iioat chamber and provided with a check valve which is urged to its seat by suction in said suction passage and opened by air pressure when said control is adjusted to disconnect the suction passage from a source of suction and connect it to said air port.

8. In a priming device of the class described, the combination of a body forming a oat chamber, an inlet conduit means connected to said iloat chamber, an inlet check valve in one end of said inlet conduit means adapted to be seated by a surge of water under pressure while permitting the passage of air and water as a result of a vacuum within the float chamber, said inlet check valve having a restricted passage permitting a restricted passage of air and water to the oat chamber when the inlet check valve is in seated position, a return check valve in said inlet conduit means and located inwardly from said inlet check valve, a suction passage having an inlet connection to said float chamber and provided with an air port, a control valve for said suction passage adjustable to selectively connect it with a source of suction or to said air port, a main float in said iloat chamber, an auxiliary lloat operatively associated with said main tloat to` be operated thereby or to operate independently thereof in the event of the failure of the main iloat to operate, a suction check valve on said auxiliary iloat for closing said suction passage inlet to the float chamber, a suction actuated drain valve for said iloat chamber, and a bypass connection for said suction passage to said oat chamber provided with a check valve which is urged to its seat by suction in said suction passage while admitting air to said oat chamber when said control valve is adjusted to connect the suction passage to said air port.

asoiaa 7 9,. I jn av device of the class described, the combination of a body forming a oat chamber', an inlet conduitmeansA connected to said oat chamber, an inlet cheek valve, in one end of said inlet conduit means adapted to be seated by a surge of Water under pressure while permitting the passage of air and water as a result of a ya'c'uum Within the oat chamber, a return check valve in said inlet conduit means and located inwardly from said inlet check valve, a suctionv passage having an inlet connection to said iloat chamber and provided with an air port,l a Control valve for said suction passage adjustable to selectively Connect it with a source of suction or to said air port, a main float in said float chamber, an auxiliary oat operatively associated with said main float `to be operated thereby or to operate independently there- `of in the event of the failure of the main float to operate,

a su'tion check valve on sai'd auxiliary float for closing saidl surctlio'n passage inlet to the oat chamber, a suction actuated drain 'valve for said float chamber, anda bypass connection for said suction passage to said iloatehamber provided Wit-h a check valve which is urged to its vseat by suction in said suction passage while admitting air to said oat chamber when said control valve is adjusted to connect the suction passage` to said air port.

References Cited in the of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS s Barton Aug. 25, 1925 Moore n Oct. 20. 1942 

